Open and Shut

Coney IslandAmusing the Zillion posted this awesome picture of an old rathskellers that sold under the Boardwalk sometime in the 1940-50s. The owner of Brooklyn Beach shop was renovating the first-floor space of what was previously Coney Island Souvenirs when she found this menu up on the basement wall. Beer and milk: 10 cents, coffee: 5 cents. Not bad!

Ditmas Park/Windsor TerraceAm Thai Bistro opens on Church Avenue in Ditmas Park and plans to serve traditional Thai dishes to the nabe. Le Paddock extended its hours to be open Friday for brunch and for take-out. The cafe Oak and Iris should ropen on Fort Hamilton Parkway today.

Park Slope
Long-time Slope concert hall South Paw is closing down and a tutoring center is moving in, in a shift that seems catered to the changes of the neighborhood. The owner told the Brooklyn Paper: “I’m kind of over Park Slope — it’s not a destination for nightlife anymore.” V Spot is closed due to health violations and the old Timboo’s Bar will be replaced by a new bar run by the owners of Abilene Bar on Court Street, says Here’s Park Slope. HPS notes a third BBQ joint is moving into the neighborhood and Gothamist takes a tour of Fort Reno Provisions.

ElsewhereChocolate Earth opens in Dumbo at The Shops at 145 Front Street with over 20 brands and 80 types of artisan and craft chocolate bars. Burgersmith opens on Smith Street and Baltic in Cobble Hill serving up grass-fed beef burgers grilled on a cast-iron. East Village restaurant Max is expanding to South 2nd Street and Driggs in Williamsburg. Also in the neighborhood the Camel Art Space joins the gallery migration from Williamburg east into Bushwick. BoCoCa Land rounds up a few Italian newcomers he’s noticed in the neighborhood. Indian restaurant Baluchi’s opened quickly on Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights. Finally, Patch profiles Crem Puff Cafe, a coffe/juice bar on 6th Avenue between Dean and Bergen.

Very sad news about South Paw. One of the best live music venues in the entire city started by people actually from the neighborhood. I’m sorry to see places like South Paw, Puppets Jazz, and Kapa Sake House close in the last few months.. Hopefully more authentic / cultural / music spots will not be afraid to come to the neighborhood to add to the diversity of the retail we already have.

as much as i love the V-Spot food, the restaurant itself is absolutely terrible looking.
I’d never actually eat in there…just order takeout and eat in the confines of my clean, tidy, not shitty college dorm looking home.
hard to believe such great food comes out of that dump.